The influence of outcome expectations on adherence to exercise in adults with heart failure enrolled in an exercise study: A convergent mixed methods study.
Troy E Scheer, Erin Salahshurian, Kevin Kupzyk et al.
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In 30 seconds
This convergent mixed methods study examined whether baseline expectations about exercise were related to exercise adherence among adults with heart failure enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Of 204 participants in the parent study, 134 completed baseline surveys; qualitative expectation themes were integrated with adherence data at 6 and 12 months. Adherence was 43/126 (34.1%) at 6 months and 46/134 (33.8%) at 12 months. At 6 months, adherence was less likely among participants expecting physical and mental health benefits and more likely among those expecting improved quality of life; no significant relationships were found at 12 months.
Key findings
- Exercise adherence was 43/126 (34.1%) at 6 months and 46/134 (33.8%) at 12 months.
- At 6 months, adherence was less likely with expectations of improved Physical and Mental Health (Χ 2 =5.37, p=.02).
- At 6 months, adherence was more likely with expectations of improved Quality of Life with Heart Failure (Χ 2 =6.62, p=.01).
- No significant relationships between expectation themes and adherence were identified at 12 months.
Why it matters
Exercise adherence is difficult in adults with heart failure, and this study suggests that the type of benefit patients expect may relate to adherence in the shorter term. The differing associations across expectation themes, and the absence of significant relationships at 12 months, underscore that expectations alone may not explain sustained exercise behavior.
What to keep in mind
Only 134 of 204 adults in the parent study completed baseline surveys. The analysis found no significant expectation–adherence relationships at 12 months, and the authors note that the influence of baseline expectations on long-term adherence remains unclear.